GB2352006A

GB2352006A - Security bag closing module

Info

Publication number: GB2352006A
Application number: GB9910731A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-23
Filing date: 1999-05-11
Publication date: 2001-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-11
Also published as: GB9903998D0; GB9910731D0; GB2352006B

Abstract

An adhesively sealable plastic bag 11 is hung inside a module 15 using hooks 13 or tape, and a release tape is removed exposing an adhesive layer in the neck of the bag. The module has a fixed frame 3,2, and a sliding frame including a handle 10. Bank notes or valuables fall down e.g. a chute into bag 11. Pulling slide handle 10 squeezes the neck of the bag so that the adhesive seals it - the bag may now be removed from module 15 and a further bag loaded.

Description

2352006 Bag Closing Module This invention relates to a bag closing device

for use, for example inside a top loading safe often referred to as drop safe receiving bank notes (or other valuables).

A large proportion of the banknotes taken as payment by retailers are then deposited at banks using some form of security packaging. Frequently this packaging takes the form of an adhesive sealing polythene bag. After filling, these bags are always closed by hand, often requiring special security arrangements such as "dual control" whereby one person closes and the other supervises the closing. This ensures the integrity of the deposit but can be costly in man-hours and inconvenient when closing bags in a busy retail environment and especially when short staffed. This invention provides a module that can be stand alone but more likely fits within a safe, strong box or other enclosure enabling a sealed bag to be closed by one person in a secure and reliable manner.

In accordance with the present invention there is a module from which is suspended an adhesive sealing bag that slots into an enclosure or safe. The bag is first loaded and fixed within the module and the protective release tape removed exposing the adhesive. Once the module is then slotted in it can't be removed (nor a security door or lid opened) unless the knob/handle has been pulled/moved. Thus ensuring that the bag has first been securely closed. The inventor envisages two possible mechanisms for holding the bag in place inside the module, either using hooks attached to the bag that then hook into holes in the module. The hooks will be attached by some adhesive or tape. The inventor has found an adhesive combination that enables the hooks to be easily peeled off after use. To do this a simple template is needed to enable accurate positioning of the hooks. Or a longitudinally perforated adhesive tape that sticks to the bag and hooks onto tabs on the module. The hooks or tape need to be transparent so as not to interfere with a bags tamper evidence features.

The module consists of two frameworks. The "fixed frame" and the "sliding frame". The fixed frame is a hollow rectangle in plan view. With a flange on either side at the front. The sides of this frame have a slat cut away and the flanges each have a hole. These slots and holes accept the "sliding frame" which is also rectangular in shape (plan view) and consists of a "back plate" two side bars and a front section which forms the handle. The "sliding frame" is fitted in the fixed frame with the back-plate inside the fixed frame, the frame then exits each side through the slots and connects to the front handle through the holes in the flanges. When so connected the "sliding frame" can be pushed to the back with its back-plate touching the rear of the inside of the fixed frame. Or it can be pulled forward so the back-plate touches the front of the fixed frame. In this manner a bag can be shut. One side of the bag is fixed to the back plate of the sliding frame and the other fixed to the front of the fixed framework. When the sliding frame is pulled forward so the two sides of the bag are brought together.

If an inner security door or hd is fitted then the process of pulling the handle shuts the bag and releases the door.

There are envisaged three mechanisms for incorporating the closing module inside a safe or container. Firstly creating a "docking station". This will vary from safe to safe. Secondly building a framework (with the module on top) that slides into the safe and locks into position. And thirdly building the module into a vertical drawer thus creating a "front loader" safe In the first and second type of mechanisms, the process will involve loading a bag into the module probably on a flat surface like a desk, The bag and module (and framework) are carried over to the safe and they are all inserted into a "docking station" fixed inside the safe. This docking station will have appropriate security features to ensure the bag is in position before closing the safe. The safe is then closed and locked and the module and bag are ready 2- to receive banknotes (or other valuables) fed in from the top. This design may include a chute which drops into place on closing enabling the notes to pass the sticky adhesive strip on the bag and fall freely into it. It may also include an inner security door. Once the bag is full, the safe is unlocked, the handle pulled which seals the bag releases the security door and the bag is free to be pulled from the module. The module then needs to be taken out and loaded with a new bag.

In the third mode incorporating the module as part of a drawer it is envisaged having a security lid with chute built in. This lifts up to enable the bag to be loaded into the closing module. The lid is closed and the drawer shut. When the bag is full the drawer is opened, the bag is closed which releases the security lid and the bag is pulled out and a new one loaded.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figures I to 7 showing the module in drawer option and figure 8 showing a loading framework) in which Figure la shows the fixed fiame in plan view. The sides 1, the flanges 2, the back 3 and the front 4.

Figure lb is side on showing the slat 5.

Figure I c is front on showing the holes in the flanges 6 and holes (or tabs) 7 in the front plate.

Figure 2 shows the sliding frame in plan view. The back plate 8 with holes (or tabs) 7, the sides 9 and front 10 which becomes the handle.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the sliding frame fitted 'inside the fixed frame. Note the holes/tabs 7 are in position from which to suspend the bag.

Figure 4 shows the bag I I laid on a flat surface. A template 12 is so positioned on it to enable the hooks 13 to be stuck on the bag 'in the correct position. This diagram shows three (per side) but the number of hooks depends on the size of the bag.

Figure 5a shows front on the module with the bag suspended from it and the hooks 13 hanging from the holes 7.

Figure 5b shows the loaded unit in plan view showing the bag I I in an open position. The release tape 14 which protects the adhesive is on the bag. This is pulled off before either the module is loaded into its docking station or after the bag has been positioned into the drawer unit.

Figure 6 shows plan view the module and bag in the shut position having pulled handle 10. The adhesive edge of the bag has made contact with the other edge and will not come open. The bag can be released from the mechanism by a simple tug down or by pushing the handle 10 'in and lifting the bag out - Figure 7a shows plan view the "security lid" to protect the top of the bag until it has been shut. The top plate 15 is connected to the back plate 3 of the fixed frame by hinges 17. There is a chute 16 which enables the notes to pass into the bag without sticking to the adhesive edge of the bag. Spring clips 18 click onto the front of the fixed frame 4 so the "security lid" is locked until the handle 10 is pulled to shut the bag. This releases the clips enablMig the lid to be swung open and the closed bag taken out.

Figure 7b shows the lid 15 and chute 16 side on. The chute passes below the line of the adhesive strip on the bag.

Figure 8 shows a drawing of how the mechanism could be built on top of a framework 19. This runs on to rails 20 and meets an electric switch 21 which indicates that the device is in 3 position. The security door 15 is on the front with hinges 17 and spring clips 18 which are released when the bag is shut.

Other examples of the configuration of the module will now be described:

Referring to figure 4, an adhesive tape with perforations could be used instead of hooks to fix the bag to the module. The perforations in the tape would hang over the tags in the frames.

Referring to figure 5b, the release tape 14 could be on the other side of the bag.

In one typical retail or banking implementation the safe, with the cassette module inside, would connect and be secured to the back of a simple bank note counting or processing machine (not shown). Each bank note would first be counted and then fed down through the hole in the safe through a chute into the polythene bag. At the same time the counting machine would communicate electronically to software to register the denomination of the banknote. Once enough notes have been stored within the bag the supervisor or cash carrier would first open the safe door and then the inner security door (if there) and pull down the closed bag. The software would know the safe had been emptied and produce a printout of the contents of the bag.

In a second implementation the safe might be connected at the end of a pneumatic air tube system and the open plastic bag inside the safe or box receive smaller containers containing banknotes or other valuables.

In a third implementation the module might be built on a framework that connects inside a cash deposit machine. Deposits fall automatically into the bag. When the machine is emptied the bag is shut, pulled out. Then the framework is pulled out and loaded with a new bag.

In a fourth implementation the module might simply be incorporated "inside a drop safe which may be protected by a smoke or dye system.

it

Claims

I.There is a module from which is suspended an adhesive sealing bag. The module slots into an enclosure or safe. The bag is first loaded and fixed within the module and the protective release tape removed exposing the adhesive. Once the module is then slotted in, it can't be removed (nor a security door or lid opened) unless the knob/handle has been pulled1moved, thus ensuring that the bag has first been securely closed.
2. A device according to claim I where the module consists of two frameworks. 'Me "fixed frame" and the "sliding frame". 'Me fixed frame is a hoHow rectangle in plan view. With a flange on either side at the front. The sides of this frame have a slot cut away and the flanges each have a hole. These slots and holes accept the "sliding frame" which is also rectangular in shape (plan view) and consists of a "back plate" two side bars and a front section which forms the handle. The "sliding frame" is fitted in the fixed frame with the back-platc inside the fixed frame, the ftame then exits each side through the slots and conn" to the front handle through the holes in the flanges. When so connected the "sliding frame" can be pushed to the back with its back-plate touching the rear of the inside of the fixed frame. Or it can be puUed forward so the back- plate touches the front of the fixed frame. In this manner a bag can be shut. One side of the bag is fixed to the back plate of the sliding frame and the other fixed to the front of the fixed framework. When the sliding frame is pulled forward so the two sides of the bag are brought together.
3. A device according to claims I and 2 where the mechanism for holding die bag in place inside the module is using hooks attached to the bag that then hook into holes in the module. The hooks will be attached by some adhesive or tape. The inventor has found an adhesive combination that enables the hooks to be easily peeled off after use. A simple template is needed to enable accurate positioning of the hooks.
4. A device according to claims I and 2 where the mechanism for holding the bag in place inside the module is a longitudinaRy perforated adhesive tape that sticks to the bag and hooks onto tabs on the module.
5. A device according to claims 1, 2 and 3 or 4 where the hooks or tape need to be transparent so as not to interfere with a bags tamper evidence features.
6. A device according to claims I and 2, 3 or 4 and 5 where an in= security door or lid is fitted which cannot be opened until the process of pulling the handle shuts the bag and releases the door.
7. A device according to claims I and 2, 3 or 4,5 or 6 that fits into a safe or container using a "docking station" which involves loading a bag into the module probably on a flat surface like a desk. The bag and module are carried to the safe and they are all inserted into the "docking station" fixed inside the safe. The safe is closed and the module and bag are ready to receive banknotes (or other valuables) fed in from the top.

8, A device according to claims 1,2 3or 4, 5 and 6 which incorporates the module as part of a drawer with a security lid with chute built in. This lid lifts up to enable the bag to be loaded into the closing module. The lid is closed and the drawer shut. When the bag is ffill the drawer is opened, the bag is closed which releases the security lid and the bag is pulled out and a new one loaded 9. A device according to claims 1,2,3 or4,5,6,7 or 8 where the design includes a chute which drops into place on closing enabling the notes to pass the sticky adhesive strip on the bag and fall freely into it 10. A bag closing mechanism substantially described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the different configurations within the text, 11. A bag closing mechanism as described previously.